Control information recording method and apparatus, information recording method and apparatus, and information record medium

ABSTRACT

By the control information recording method, control information to control at least one of recording and reproducing operations of record information on an information record medium is recorded onto a guide track of the information record medium. The control information recording method is provided with the steps of: generating a control information timing signal one after another at an interval corresponding to a length of a control information unit equal to an N (N: predetermined integer not less than 2) multiple of a length of a record information unit of the record information; and recording the control information onto the guide track of the information record medium, on the basis of a timing corresponding to the control information timing signal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention is related with a control informationrecording method and apparatus for recording in advance, onto aninformation record medium of WO (Write Once) type (hereafter, referredto as a DVD-R (Digital Video or Versatile Disk-Recordable)) amonginformation record media whose recording densities are dramaticallyimproved over conventional CDs (Compact Disks) and the like representedby the DVD, control information such as address information, asynchronization information etc. (hereafter, referred to as“pre-information”) required to record and reproduce the substantialrecord information such as video information and audio information toand from the DVD-R. The present invention is also related with aninformation recording method and apparatus for recording the recordinformation onto the DVD-R while reproducing the pre-information fromthe DVD-R on which the pre-information has been already recorded.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] In an information record medium such as a WO type postscriptoptical disk and the like, the pre-information for a position retrievalat a time of writing the record information is recorded in advance ontothe information record medium at a pre-format stage in manufacturing theinformation record medium. As a method of pre-formatting thispre-information, an information record track (a groove track or a landtrack) for recording the record information is wobbled in a form of awave so as to record the pre-information. Alternatively, a pre-pit isformed on a portion different from a portion where the recordinformation is recorded on the information record track, so as to recordthe pre-information.

[0005] However, in a case of the pre-format of the pre-information bythe wobbling, the information record track itself is swung to the rightand left relative to a rotation direction of the information recordmedium on the basis of a wobbling signal. This results in a problem thata C/N ratio (Carrier to Noise ratio) is poor because of a restriction ina modulation degree of the wobbling signal (wobbling amplitude) due to arelation to an adjacent information record track. Further, consideringan interference resulting from the adjacent information record tracksince the adjacent information record tracks are close to each other bythe wobbling, it is difficult to make a track pitch narrow. This resultsin a problem of limitation in improvement of the recording density.

[0006] On the other hand, in a case of the pre-format of thepre-information by the pre-pit, since the pre-pit is formed on theinformation record track, the recordable amount of the substantialrecord information is reduced by the amount of the formed pre-pit. Thisresults in a problem of a poor utilization efficiency of a disk recordsurface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Then, the present invention is proposed from the viewpoint of theabove mentioned problems. It is therefore an object of the presentinvention to provide a method of and an apparatus for recording controlinformation (i.e. pre-information) to an information record medium, amethod of and an apparatus for recording record information to theinformation record medium to which the control information is recordedin advance, and the information record medium to which the controlinformation is recorded in advance, which can improve a recordingdensity of the record information and an accuracy in the reproduction ofthe record information.

[0008] The above object of the present invention can be achieved by afirst method of recording, onto a guide track of an information recordmedium, control information to control at least one of recording andreproducing operations of record information on the information recordmedium. The first method is provided with the steps of: generating acontrol information timing signal one after another at an intervalcorresponding to a length of a control information unit equal to an N(N: predetermined integer not less than 2) multiple of a length of arecord information unit of the record information; and recording thecontrol information onto the guide track of the information recordmedium, on the basis of a timing corresponding to the controlinformation timing signal.

[0009] According to the first method of the present invention, thecontrol information timing signal is generated one after another at theinterval corresponding to the length of the control information unitequal to the N multiple of the length of the record information unit.Then, the control information is recorded onto the guide track of theinformation record medium, on the basis of the timing corresponding tothe control information timing signal. Thus, as compared with a casethat the control information is recorded for all of the recordinformation unit, the amount of the control information recorded on thewhole information record medium can be reduced by the factor of 1/N, andthat the recording density of the record information can be certainlyimproved. Further, it is possible to easily form a recording layer witha desirable thickness on the information record medium to which thecontrol information has been recorded in advance.

[0010] In one aspect of the first method, the control information ispre-information including at least address information indicative of arecord position on the information record medium of the recordinformation, the record information unit is one synchronization frame,and in the generating step, the control information timing signal isgenerated by doubling said one synchronization frame.

[0011] According to this aspect of the first method, since the controlinformation timing signal is generated by doubling said onesynchronization frame, the pre-information is recorded once per twosynchronization frames. Thus, as compared with a case that thepre-information is recorded for all of the synchronization frames, theamount of the pre-information recorded on the whole information recordmedium can be reduced by half, and that the recording density of therecord information can be certainly improved. Further, it is possible toeasily form a recording layer with a desirable thickness on theinformation record medium to which the pre-information has been recordedin advance.

[0012] In another aspect of the first method, the control informationhas a length along the guide track equal to an integer multiple of aunit length corresponding to a pit interval along the guide trackdefined by a recording format of the record information, for a recordpit to be formed on the information record medium in correspondence withthe record information in the recording operation, and in the recordingstep, the control information is recorded for each control informationunit, by a control information pit having a length shorter along theguide track than the shortest pit length of the record pit.

[0013] According to this aspect of the first method, since the controlinformation is recorded for each control information unit, by thecontrol information pit having the length shorter than the shortest pitlength of the record pit, the control information is recorded to have apit length different from any pit length of the record information.Thus, it is possible to easily separate the record information and thecontrol information from each other in the reproducing operation.

[0014] In another aspect of the first method, in the generating step,the control information timing signal is generated at such an intervalthat positions of the control information recorded on adjacent turns ofthe guide track are not on a straight line perpendicular to the guidetrack on the information record medium.

[0015] According to this aspect of the first method, since the controlinformation timing signal is generated at such an interval thatpositions of the control information recorded on adjacent turns of theguide track are not on the straight line perpendicular to the guidetrack on the information record medium, it is possible to prevent thecontrol information on the adjacent turns of the guide track frominterfering or leaking to each other in the recording or reproducingoperation.

[0016] In another aspect of the first method, the generating step isprovided with the steps of: generating an even timing signal, as a firstkind of the control information timing signal corresponding to an evennumbered record information unit in a record information unit rowcomprising M (M: predetermined integer not less than 2) recordinformation units; generating an odd timing signal, as a second kind ofthe control information timing signal corresponding to an odd numberedrecord information unit in the record information unit row; andselecting one of the even and odd timing signals such that positions ofthe control information recorded on adjacent turns of the guide trackare not on a straight line perpendicular to the guide track on theinformation record medium. In the recording step, the controlinformation is recorded onto the guide track of the information recordmedium, on the basis of a timing corresponding to the selected one ofthe even and odd timing signals.

[0017] According to this aspect of the first method, in the generatingstep, the even timing signal corresponding to the even numbered recordinformation unit in the record information unit row is generated, whilethe odd timing signal corresponding to the odd numbered recordinformation unit in the record information unit row is generated. Atthis time, one of the even and odd timing signals is selected such thatpositions of the control information recorded on adjacent turns of theguide track are not on the straight line perpendicular to the guidetrack on the information record medium. Then, in the recording step, thecontrol information is recorded onto the guide track of the informationrecord medium, on the basis of the timing corresponding to the selectedone of the even and odd timing signals. Thus, since the controlinformation is recorded only in the even or odd numbered recordinformation unit, as compared with a case that the control informationis recorded for all of the record information unit, the amount of thecontrol information recorded on the whole information record medium canbe reduced by about half, and that the recording density of the recordinformation can be certainly improved. Further, it is possible to easilyform a recording layer with a desirable thickness on the informationrecord medium to which the control information has been recorded inadvance. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the control informationon the adjacent turns of the guide track from interfering or leaking toeach other in the recording or reproducing operation.

[0018] In this aspect of the first method, the selecting step may bepreferably provided with the steps of: storing the selected one of theeven and odd timing signals for one turn of the guide track; andselecting one of the even and odd timing signals for another turn of theguide track next to said one turn, on the basis of the stored one of theeven and odd timing signals.

[0019] In this case, at first, the selected one of the even and oddtiming signals is stored for one turn of the guide track. Later, one ofthe even and odd timing signals is newly selected for another turn ofthe guide track next to said one turn, on the basis of the stored one ofthe even and odd timing signals. Thus, it is possible, by use of arelatively simple construction, to select one of the even and odd timingsignals such that positions of the control information recorded onadjacent turns of the guide track are not on the straight lineperpendicular to the guide track on the information record medium.

[0020] The above object of the present invention can be also achieved bya first apparatus for recording, onto a guide track of an informationrecord medium, control information to control at least one of recordingand reproducing operations of record information on the informationrecord medium. The first apparatus is provided with: a generating unitfor generating a control information timing signal one after another atan interval corresponding to a length of a control information unitequal to an N (N: predetermined integer not less than 2) multiple of alength of a record information unit of the record information; and arecording unit for recording the control information onto the guidetrack of the information record medium, on the basis of a timingcorresponding to the control information timing signal.

[0021] According to the first apparatus of the present invention, thecontrol information timing signal is generated, by the generating unit,one after another at the interval corresponding to the length of thecontrol information unit equal to the N multiple of the length of therecord information unit. Then, the control information is recorded, bythe recording unit, onto the guide track of the information recordmedium, on the basis of the timing corresponding to the controlinformation timing signal. Thus, in the same manner as the abovedescribed first method of the present invention, the amount of thecontrol information can be reduced, and that the recording density ofthe record information can be improved. Further, it is possible toeasily form the recording layer with the desirable thickness.

[0022] In one aspect of the first apparatus, the control information ispre-information including at least address information indicative of arecord position on the information record medium of the recordinformation, the record information unit is one synchronization frame,and the generating unit generates the control information timing signalby doubling said one synchronization frame.

[0023] According to this aspect of the first apparatus, in the samemanner as the first method of the present invention, the amount of thepre-information can be reduced, and that the recording density can beimproved. Further, it is possible to easily form the recording layerwith the desirable thickness.

[0024] In another aspect of the first apparatus, the control informationhas a length along the guide track equal to an integer multiple of aunit length corresponding to a pit interval along the guide trackdefined by a recording format of the record information, for a recordpit to be formed on the information record medium in correspondence withthe record information in the recording operation, and the recordingunit records the control information for each control information unit,by a control information pit having a length shorter along the guidetrack than the shortest pit length of the record pit.

[0025] According to this aspect of the first apparatus, in the samemanner as the first method of the present invention, it is possible toeasily separate the record information and the control information fromeach other in the reproducing operation.

[0026] In another aspect of the first apparatus, the generating unitgenerates the control information timing signal at such an interval thatpositions of the control information recorded on adjacent turns of theguide track are not on a straight line perpendicular to the guide trackon the information record medium.

[0027] According to this aspect of the first apparatus, in the samemanner as the first method of the present invention, it is possible toprevent the control information on the adjacent turns of the guide trackfrom interfering or leaking to each other in the recording orreproducing operation.

[0028] In another aspect of the first apparatus, the generating unit isprovided with: a first generating device for generating an even timingsignal, as a first kind of the control information timing signalcorresponding to an even numbered record information unit in a recordinformation unit row comprising M (M: predetermined integer not lessthan 2) record information units; a second generating device forgenerating an odd timing signal, as a second kind of the controlinformation timing signal corresponding to an odd numbered recordinformation unit in the record information unit row; and a selectingdevice for selecting one of the even and odd timing signals such thatpositions of the control information recorded on adjacent turns of theguide track are not on a straight line perpendicular to the guide trackon the information record medium. The recording unit records the controlinformation onto the guide track of the information record medium, onthe basis of a timing corresponding to the selected one of the even andodd timing signals.

[0029] According to this aspect of the first apparatus, in the samemanner as the first method of the present invention, the amount of thecontrol information can be reduced by about half, and that the recordingdensity can be certainly improved. Further, it is possible to easilyform the recording layer with the desirable thickness. Furthermore, itis possible to prevent the control information on the adjacent turns ofthe guide track from interfering or leaking to each other in therecording or reproducing operation.

[0030] In this aspect of the first apparatus, the selecting device maybe preferably provided with: a memory for storing the selected one ofthe even and odd timing signals for one turn of the guide track; and aselector for selecting one of the even and odd timing signals foranother turn of the guide track next to said one turn, on the basis ofthe stored one of the even and odd timing signals.

[0031] In this case, in the same manner as the first method of thepresent invention, it is possible, by use of a relatively simpleconstruction, to select one of the even and odd timing signals such thatpositions of the control information recorded on adjacent turns of theguide track are not on the straight line perpendicular to the guidetrack on the information record medium.

[0032] The above object of the present invention can be also achieved byan information record medium provided with: a substrate having aninformation record surface; an information record track formed on theinformation record surface in a spiral or coaxial shape, for recordingrecord information; a guide track formed on the information recordsurface in parallel to the information record track, for guiding a lightbeam, which is to perform at least one of recording and reproducingoperations of the record information, to the information record track;and a control information for controlling at least one of the recordingand reproducing operations, recorded on the guide track at an intervalcorresponding to a length of a control information unit equal to an N(N: predetermined integer not less than 2) multiple of a length of arecord information unit of the record information.

[0033] According to the information record medium of the presentinvention, as compared with an information record medium in which thecontrol information is recorded for all of the record information unit,the amount of the control information recorded on the whole informationrecord medium can be reduced by the factor of 1/N, and that therecording density of the record information can be certainly improved.Further, it is possible to easily form a recording layer with adesirable thickness on the information record medium to which thecontrol information has been recorded in advance.

[0034] In one aspect of the information record medium, the controlinformation is pre-information including at least address informationindicative of a record position on the information record surface of therecord information, the record information unit is one synchronizationframe, and the pre-information is recorded on the guide track for eachpre-information unit, which is obtained by doubling said onesynchronization frame.

[0035] According to this aspect of the information record medium, ascompared with an information record medium in which the pre-informationis recorded for all of the synchronization frames, the amount of thepre-information recorded on the whole information record medium can bereduced by half, and that the recording density of the recordinformation can be certainly improved. Further, it is possible to easilyform a recording layer with a desirable thickness on the informationrecord medium to which the pre-information has been recorded in advance.

[0036] In another aspect of the information record medium, the controlinformation has a length along the guide track equal to an integermultiple of a unit length corresponding to a pit interval along theguide track defined by a recording format of the record information, fora record pit to be formed on the information record surface incorrespondence with the record information in the recording operation,and the control information is recorded for each control informationunit, by a control information pit having a length shorter along theguide track than the shortest pit length of the record pit.

[0037] According to this aspect of the information record medium, it ispossible to easily separate the record information and the controlinformation from each other in the reproducing operation.

[0038] In another aspect of the information record medium, positions ofthe control information recorded on adjacent turns of the guide trackare not on a straight line perpendicular to the guide track on theinformation record surface.

[0039] According to this aspect of the information record medium, it ispossible to prevent the control information on the adjacent turns of theguide track from interfering or leaking to each other in the recordingor reproducing operation.

[0040] In another aspect of the information record medium, theinformation record medium is further provided with the recordinformation, which is recorded on the information record track by arecord pit formed in correspondence with the record information in therecording operation and which has a synchronization signal for achievinga synchronization in the reproducing operation, wherein the controlinformation has a length along the guide track equal to an integermultiple of a unit length corresponding to a pit interval along theguide track defined by a recording format of the record information, thecontrol information is recorded for each control information unit, by acontrol information pit having a length shorter along the guide trackthan the shortest pit length of the record pit, and positions of thecontrol information and the synchronization signal recorded on adjacentturns of the guide track and the information record track are on astraight line perpendicular to the guide track on the information recordsurface.

[0041] According to this aspect of the information record medium, sincethe control information is recorded to have a pit length different fromany pit length of the record information, it is possible to easilyseparate the record information and the control information from eachother in the reproducing operation. Further, the positions of thecontrol information and the synchronization signal recorded on adjacentturns of the guide track and the information record track are on thestraight line perpendicular to the guide track, it is possible to easilyobtain the timing relationship between the record information and thecontrol information, and easily separate them from each other in thereproducing operation.

[0042] The above object of the present invention can be also achieved bya second method of recording record information onto the above describedinformation record medium of the present invention. The second method isprovided with the steps of: detecting the control information from theinformation record medium; generating the record information on thebasis of a record signal inputted from the external such that asynchronization signal is added to each record information unit incorrespondence with the detected control information; and recording thegenerated record information onto the information record track.

[0043] According to the second method of the present invention, inadvance of actually recording the record information, the controlinformation is firstly detected from the information record medium.Secondly, the record information is generated on the basis of a recordsignal inputted from the external such that the synchronization signalis added to each record information unit in correspondence with thedetected control information. Finally, the generated record informationis recorded onto the information record track. Thus, on the informationrecord medium which has been recorded by the second method, the positionof the synchronization signal on the information record track and theposition of the control information on the guide track are adjacent toeach other, so that it is possible to easily separate the recordinformation and the control information from each other in the detectionof the control signal and the reproduction of the record information.

[0044] The above object of the present invention can be also achieved bya second apparatus for recording record information onto the abovedescribed information record medium of the present invention. The secondapparatus is provided with: a detecting unit for detecting the controlinformation from the information record medium; a record informationgenerating unit for generating the record information on the basis of arecord signal inputted from the external such that a synchronizationsignal is added to each record information unit in correspondence withthe detected control information; and a recording unit for recording thegenerated record information onto the information record track.

[0045] According to the second apparatus of the present invention, inadvance of actually recording the record information, the controlinformation is firstly detected, by the detecting unit, from theinformation record medium. Secondly, the record information isgenerated, by the record information generating unit, on the basis of arecord signal inputted from the external such that the synchronizationsignal is added to each record information unit in correspondence withthe detected control information. Finally, the generated recordinformation is recorded, by the recording unit, onto the informationrecord track. Thus, in the same manner as the second method of thepresent invention, it is possible to easily separate the recordinformation and the control information from each other in the detectionof the control signal and the reproduction of the record information.

[0046] As described above, according to the present invention, it ispossible to prevent a direct current (DC) element from being changed inthe detected or reproduced signal of the information record medium, andalso possible to protect the jitter due to the unstableness of the pitshape from being generated in the detected or reproduced signal, so thatthe detection of the control information and the reproduction of therecord information can be accurately performed while the recordingdensity of the record information can be certainly improved.

[0047] The nature, utility, and further features of this invention willbe more clearly apparent from the following detailed description withrespect to a preferred embodiment of the invention when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings briefly described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048]FIG. 1 is a schematic appearance view showing an example of theDVD-R in which a pre-pit is formed on a land track;

[0049]FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a recording format of thepre-information and the record information;

[0050]FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of acutting machine as an embodiment of the present invention;

[0051]FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of apre-format encoder of the embodiment;

[0052]FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing schematic configurations of aframe signal generator and an ODD/EVEN judging gate signal generator ofthe embodiment;

[0053]FIG. 6A is a timing chart showing an EVEN frame signal and an ODDframe signal in the pre-format encoder;

[0054]FIG. 6B is a timing chart showing an operation of a judging devicein the pre-format encoder;

[0055]FIG. 6C is a timing chart showing operations of an AND circuit anda delay flip-flop circuit in the pre-format encoder;

[0056]FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing operations of the frame signalgenerator and the ODD/EVEN judging gate signal generator;

[0057]FIG. 8A is a timing chart showing an operation of asynchronization pattern generator in the pre-format encoder;

[0058]FIG. 8B is a timing chart showing an operation of asynchronization data switching signal generator in the pre-formatencoder;

[0059]FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of aninformation recording apparatus as another embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0060]FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing schematic configurations of anoptical pick-up and a pre-pit signal detector of the embodiment;

[0061]FIG. 11A is a schematic sectional view of showing a shape of thepre-pit;

[0062]FIG. 11B is a graph of showing wave forms of an RF signal and atangential push-pull signal;

[0063]FIG. 12A is a flow chart showing an operation of a CPU of theembodiment;

[0064]FIG. 12B is a flow chart of showing an operation of an 8-16encoder of the embodiment; and

[0065]FIG. 13 is a plan view of a record surface of the DVD-R on whichthe record information is recorded by the embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0066] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are explained withreference to the drawings.

(I) Embodiment of Control Information Recording Apparatus

[0067] At first, an embodiment of a cutting machine for forming apre-pit corresponding to pre-information, as one example of a controlinformation recording apparatus, will be explained with reference toFIGS. 1 to 8. An embodiment of the DVD-R, as an information recordmedium, in which the pre-pit is formed by the cutting machine is alsodescribed in the following explanation of the embodiment of the cuttingmachine.

[0068] At first, a structure of the DVD-R in which the pre-pit is formedby the cutting machine of this embodiment described later is explainedwith reference to FIG. 1.

[0069] In FIG. 1, a DVD-R 1 is a pigment type DVD-R, which has a pigmentfilm 5 and to which information can be written only one time. A groovetrack 2 as an information record track and a land track 3 as a guidetrack for guiding a light beam LB, such as a laser beam and the like asa reproduction light or a record light, to the groove track 2 are formedin the DVD-R 1 by the cutting machine described later. The DVD-R 1 isalso provided with a protection layer 7 for protecting them and a golddeposition film 6 for reflecting the light beam LB at a time ofreproducing the recorded information. The pre-pit 4 corresponding to thepre-information is formed on this land track 3 by the cutting machinedescribed later. This pre-pit 4 is formed in advance before the DVD-R 1is shipped. It is noted here that the “land” track and the “groove”track are defined relative to each other as shown in FIG. 1, and thetrack of either one type may be defined as the land track while thetrack of the other type is defined as the groove track.

[0070] When recording the record information (i.e. the substantialrecord information, such as the video information, the audio informationand the like, to be inherently recorded other than the pre-information),the pre-information is obtained, in advance of actually recording therecord information, by detecting this pre-pit 4 by an informationrecording apparatus described later. Based on it, an optimum output ofthe light beam LB as the record light and other recording parameters areset. Further, address information and the like indicative of a positionon the DVD-R 1, at which each record information is to be recorded, areobtained. The record information is recorded on the corresponding recordposition on the basis of this address information.

[0071] When recording the record information, the light beam 113 isirradiated such that a center thereof coincides with a center of thegroove track 2. Then, a record information pit corresponding to therecord information is formed on the groove track 2, and accordingly therecord information is recorded. At this time, a size of a light spot SPis set such that it is irradiated to not only the groove track 2 butalso the land track 3, as shown in FIG. 1. The pre-information isobtained by detecting the pre-pit 4 by means of a tangential push-pullmethod described later, by using a portion of reflection light of thelight spot SP partially irradiated to the land track 3.

[0072] Next, a recording format of the pre-information recorded by thecutting machine of the embodiment is explained with reference to FIG. 2,before actually explaining the cutting machine of the embodiment.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 2, the pre-information of the embodiment isrecorded for each synchronization frame (SYNC frame) as an informationunit. Further, one recording sector as an information unit row is formedby 26 synchronization frames. Further, one ECC (Error Correcting Code)block is formed by 16 recording sectors. One synchronization frame has alength equal to 1488 times (1488T) of the unit length (hereafter,referred to as “T”) corresponding to a pit interval defined by therecording format at a time of recording the record information.

[0074] The pre-information is recorded at a top portion with a length of14T in each of the synchronization frames. In the present embodiment,the pre-information is recorded only on the synchronization frameshaving even numbers (hereafter, referred to as EVEN frames) or thesynchronization frames having odd numbers (hereafter, referred to as ODDframes), in one recording sector. The recorded pre-information isclassified into synchronization pre-information and datapre-information. Among them, the synchronization pre-information isrecorded as a top pre-information in each of the recording sectors(i.e., the 0th frame for the EVEN SYNC, and the 1st frame for the ODDSYNC). The synchronization pre-information recorded on the EVEN frame(EVEN SYNC pre-information) and the synchronization pre-informationrecorded on the ODD frame (ODD SYNC pre-information) are recorded bydifferent patterns, as shown in FIG. 2. It is possible to read out thesepatterns at a time of recording the later described record informationto thereby judge whether the pre-information is recorded on the EVENframe or the ODD frame.

[0075] On the other hand, the data pre-information is dissipated into aplurality of synchronization frames and recorded thereon. In onesynchronization frame, the data pre-information corresponding to [1] isrecorded by a length of 2T (i.e., the unit of the pre-information is2T), as shown in FIG. 2.

[0076] In FIG. 2, in the recording sector 0, the pre-information isrecorded on the EVEN frame (EVEN SYNC pre-information). In the recordingsector 1, the pre-information is recorded on the ODD frame (ODD SYNCpre-information).

[0077] Further, the record information, which is recorded on the basisof the pre-information detected by the information recording apparatusdescribed later, has the format similar to the recording format shown inFIG. 2. At this time, in the record information, the substantial recorddata, such as the video information, the audio information and the like,are recorded on positions other than the top portion with 14T, in onesynchronization frame. In the pre-information, no information isrecorded on the positions other than the top portion with 14T, in onesynchronization frame.

[0078] Next, the cutting machine in accordance with the embodiment forforming, as shown in FIG. 1, the pre-pit 4 having the recording formatshown in FIG. 2 is explained with reference to FIGS. 3 to 8.

[0079] At first, a configuration of the cutting machine of theembodiment is explained with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. The cuttingmachine shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 is intended to fabricate a stamper diskfor mass-producing the DVD-R 1, in which the pre-pit 4 is formed andthereby the pre-information is recorded in accordance with the presentinvention.

[0080] The whole configuration of the cutting machine is firstlyexplained with reference to FIG. 3.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 3, a cutting machine C of the embodiment isprovided with: a data generator 20 for generating a data pre-informationS_(PP) to be recorded; a parallel/serial (P/S) convertor 21 forparallel/serial-converting the data pre-information S_(PP); a pre-formatencoder 22 for generating a record pre-information S_(R) to form thepre-pit 4 by the recording format shown in FIG. 2 on the basis of thedata pre-information S_(PP); a clock signal generator 23 for outputtinga clock signal CLK (a period (cycle) is assumed to be the abovementioned T) used in the pre-formatting to the pre-format encoder 22; alaser generator 24 for emitting a light beam L_(G) to form the groovetrack 2 shown in FIG. 1 to a substrate of the DVD-R 1 and for emitting alight beam L_(L) to form the land track 3 and the pre-pit 4 shown inFIG. 1; a light modulator 25 for modulating the emitted light beam L_(L)on the basis of a record pre-information S_(R); an objective lens 26 forcollecting the light beams L_(G) and L_(L) on the stamper disk; aspindle motor 29 for rotating the stamper disk; a rotation detector 30for detecting a rotation number of the stamper disk; a rotation servocircuit 31 for servo-controlling a rotation of the stamper disk on thebasis of the detected rotation number and for outputting one rotationdetection signal Ss one time for each rotation of the stamper disk tothe pre-format encoder 22; a carriage unit 32 for carrying in a radialdirection of the stamper disk the spindle motor 29 relative to thestamper disk corresponding to the rotation of the stamper disk, in orderto form the spiral groove track 2 and the spiral land track 3; aposition detector 33 for detecting a position of the carriage unit 32;and a carriage servo circuit 34 for servo-controlling a movement of thecarriage unit 32 on the basis of the position of the carriage unit 32detected by the position detector 33. Here, the laser generator 24 isprovided with an emitting device 24G for emitting the light beam L_(G)and an emitting device 24L for emitting the light beam L_(L). Althoughthe light beam L_(L) is modulated by the light modulator 25 on the basisof the record pre-information S_(R), the light beam L_(G) is irradiatedto the stamper disk by a DC (direct current) driving device (not shown)while always keeping a constant light strength. Further, the light beamL_(L) to form the land track 3 and the pre-pit 4 and the light beamL_(G) to form the groove track 2 are irradiated such that irradiationpositions are gradually shifted in the radial direction of the stamperdisk, and accordingly they simultaneously form the concentrically spiralland track 3 and groove track 2.

[0082] On the other hand, the stamper disk is provided with a glasssubstrate 27 as a main body of the stamper disk, and a resist (e.g.photo-sensitive material) 28 for forming the pre-pit 4 coated on theglass substrate 27.

[0083] Incidentally, in the above mentioned configuration, one exampleof a recording means is constituted by the laser generator 24, the lightmodulator 25 and the objective lens 26.

[0084] Next, a detailed configuration of the pre-format encoder 22 isexplained with reference to FIG. 4.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 4, the pre-format encoder 22 is provided with: aframe signal generator 40, as one example of a control informationtiming signal generating means, an even number control informationtiming signal generating means and an odd number control informationtiming signal generating means, for outputting an EVEN frame signalS_(E) corresponding to the EVEN frame and an ODD frame signal Socorresponding to the ODD frame, in accordance with the timing of a framesignal indicating each synchronization frame shown in FIG. 2, on thebasis of the inputted clock signal CLK, and for outputting an EVEN framecount signal S_(EC) outputted by an EVEN frame counter described laterthat is reset each time the EVEN frame signal S_(E) corresponding to oneEVEN frame is generated; an ODD/EVEN judging gate signal generator 41for outputting a gate signal S_(G) to judge whether the synchronizationframe for forming the pre-pit 4 to be recorded during a termcorresponding to one round in the stamper disk is set to the EVEN frameor the ODD frame, on the basis of the clock signal CLK and one rotationdetection signal Ss; a judging device 42, as one example of a selectingmeans, for outputting a judgment signal S_(J) to judge whether thesynchronization frame on which the pre-pit 4 is to be recorded is set tothe EVEN frame or the ODD frame, on the basis of the EVEN frame signalS_(E), the gate signal S_(G) and one rotation detection signal Ss; aswitch 43, as one example of a selecting means, for selectivelyswitching and outputting the EVEN frame signal S_(E) or the ODD framesignal So, on the basis of the judgment signal S_(J); an AND circuit 44for calculating a logical product of the EVEN frame signal S_(E) or theODD frame signal So outputted by the switch 43 and the datapre-information S_(PP) outputted by the parallel/serial convertor 21(FIG. 3) to thereby output a logical product signal S_(A); asynchronization pattern generator 45 for outputting a synchronizationsignal S_(Y) corresponding to either one of a synchronization pattern inthe synchronization pre-information to be recorded on the EVEN frame ora synchronization pattern in the synchronization pre-information to berecorded on the ODD frame, by using the judgment signal S_(J), on thebasis of the EVEN frame signal S_(E) or the ODD frame signal Sooutputted by the switch 43, and for outputting a data latch pulse S_(L)of controlling a delay amount in a delay flip-flop circuit 47 describedlater; a synchronization/data switching signal generator 46 foroutputting a synchronization/data switching signal Sc to switch betweenthe synchronization pre-information and the data pre-information, on thebasis of the EVEN frame signal S_(E) or the ODD frame signal Sooutputted by the switch 43; the delay flip-flop circuit 47 foroutputting a delay logical product signal S_(AD) in which the logicalproduct signal S_(A) is delayed by a term of 2T, on the basis of thedata latch pulse S_(L) and the logical product signal S_(A); a switch 48for switching between the delay logical product signal S_(AD) and thesynchronization signal S_(Y), based on the synchronization/dataswitching signal Sc to thereby output as the record pre-informationS_(R). In the above mentioned configuration, the switch 43 is normallyswitched to a side of the EVEN frame signal S_(E). Further, the switch48 is normally switched to a side of the delay logical product signalS_(AD).

[0086] Next, detailed configurations of the frame signal generator 40and the ODD/EVEN judging gate signal generator 41 are explained withreference to FIG. 5.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 5, the frame signal generator 40 is providedwith: an ODD frame counter 50 for measuring (counting) an elapsed timefrom a timing at which the ODD frame signal So is generated, on thebasis of the clock signal CLK, to thereby output an ODD frame countsignal S_(OC); an EVEN frame counter 51 for measuring an elapsed timefrom a timing at which the EVEN frame signal S_(E) is generated, on thebasis of the clock signal CLK, to thereby output an EVEN frame countsignal S_(EC); a decoder 52 for outputting, as the ODD frame signal So,a pulse with a length of 2T, at a time of outputting a next ODD framesignal So, on the basis of the ODD frame count signal S_(OC) outputtedby the ODD frame counter 50; and a decoder 53 for outputting, as theEVEN frame signal S_(E), a pulse with a length of 2T, at a time ofoutputting a next EVEN frame signal S_(E), on the basis of the EVENframe count signal S_(EC) outputted by the EVEN frame counter 51.

[0088] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, the ODD/EVEN judging gatesignal generator 41 is provided with: a latch circuit 60, as one exampleof a memory means, for latching a value of the EVEN frame signal S_(EC)at this time, each time one rotation detection signal Ss is inputted (inother words, each time the stamper disk is rotated one time), on thebasis of the EVEN frame count signal S_(EC) and one rotation detectionsignal Ss; a gate counter 61 for time-measuring while being reset to thesame value and by the same period as the EVEN frame counter 51, on thebasis of the clock signal CLK and one rotation detection signal Ss andfor outputting a gate count signal S_(GC) which value is updated to avalue recorded in the latch circuit 60, each time one rotation detectionsignal Ss is inputted; and a mono-multi-vibrator (MMD) 62 for outputtinga gate signal S_(G) with a predetermined length, each time the value ofthe gate counter 61 becomes maximum and is reset, on the basis of thegate count signal S_(GC).

[0089] In the cutting machine C having the above mentionedconfiguration, an operation thereof is next explained with reference totiming charts shown in FIGS. 6A to 8.

[0090] At first, an operation of the frame signal generator 40 forgenerating the ODD frame signal So and the EVEN frame signal S_(E) isexplained with reference to FIG. 6A.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 6A, in case of the frame signal, a pulse isgenerated at an interval of one synchronization frame length of 1488T,while in case of the ODD frame signal So, a pulse with a length of each2T is generated at an interval equal to two times of the frame signalfrom a timing corresponding to a first synchronization frame. This pulseof the ODD frame signal So is continuously generated by measuring a timecorresponding to 2976T (=1488T×2) from the timing of the firstsynchronization frame, by the ODD frame counter 50, and by repeating thegeneration of the pulse with the length of 2T by the decoder 52, eachtime the above mentioned time elapses.

[0092] On the other hand, in case of the EVEN frame signal S_(E), apulse with a length of each 2T is generated at an interval equal to twotimes of the frame signal from a timing corresponding to a 0thsynchronization frame. Similarly to the case of the ODD frame signal So,this EVEN frame signal S_(E) is continuously generated by measuring atime corresponding to 2976T from the timing of the 0th synchronizationframe, by the EVEN frame counter 51, and by repeating the generation ofthe pulse with the length of 2T by the decoder 53, each time the abovementioned time elapses. At this time, the EVEN frame count signal S_(EC)outputted by the EVEN frame counter 51 is outputted to the latch circuit60 within the ODD/EVEN judging gate signal generator 41.

[0093] Next, an operation of the ODD/EVEN judging gate signal generator41 is explained with reference to FIG.7.

[0094] As shown in FIG.7, when the EVEN frame count signal S_(EC) togenerate the EVEN frame signal S_(E) is generated in the frame signalgenerator 40 in correspondence with the frame signal, the latch circuit60 latches (stores) the value of the EVEN frame count signal S_(EC) at atiming when one rotation detection signal Ss is inputted.

[0095] At this time, the gate counter 61 time-measures while being resetto the same value and by the same period as the EVEN frame counter 51 onthe basis of the clock signal CLK. Each time one rotation detectionsignal Ss is inputted, the gate counter 61 is updated to a value storedin the latch circuit 60 at that time, and it repeats thetime-measurement from its value. That is, the gate counter 61 repeatsthe same operation as the EVEN frame counter 51 in the immediatelyprevious recording operation which is one rotation (of the stamper disk)prior to the present operation. In other words, position information ofthe pre-pit 4 recorded on the EVEN frame in the previous recordingoperation, which is one rotation prior to the present operation, isincluded in the value of the gate counter 61.

[0096] Each time this value of the gate counter 61 (i.e. the signalS_(SG)) becomes maximum and is reset, the mono-multi-vibrator 62generates a pulse signal as the gate signal S_(G). Thus, the positioninformation of the pre-pit 4 recorded on the EVEN frame in the previousrecording operation one rotation prior to the present operation is alsoincluded in this gate signal S_(G). A pulse width of this gate signalS_(G) is assumed to be a pulse width of (14T+Δ), which is the sum of 14T(this is the length of the synchronization pre-information) and a lengthcorresponding to an increment Δ in a length of the land track 3corresponding to one rotation of the stamper disk, which is increased byone rotation of the stamper disk (more actually, Δ=2×π× (a track pitchbetween the land tracks 3).

[0097] Next, an operation of the judging device 42 (FIG. 4) is explainedwith reference to FIG. 6B.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 6B, in the judging device 42, if the EVEN framesignal S_(E) is within a range of the gate signal S_(G) the judgmentsignal S_(J) as shown in FIG. 6B is outputted so as to switch the switch43, which is normally switched to the side of the EVEN frame signalS_(E), to the side of the ODD frame signal So, at a rising timing of theEVEN frame signal S_(E). Accordingly, the switch 43 outputs the ODDframe signal So to the AND circuit 44.

[0099] Thus, normally, since the EVEN frame signal S_(E) is outputted tothe AND circuit 44, the pre-pit 4 is formed at a position of the EVENframe, on the basis of the EVEN frame signal S_(E), and thereby thepre-information is recorded. However, in the judging device 42, if theEVEN frame signal S_(E) enters within the range of the gate signalS_(G), that is, if the position of the pre-pit 4, which has beenrecorded in the previous recording operation one rotation prior to thepresent operation, (its information is included in the gate signalS_(G)) is close to the present position (e.g. the position of the EVENframe) of the pre-pit in the present rotation (e.g. within the range of(14T+Δ) with respect to the position of-the pre-pit 4 one rotation priorto the present position), the judgment signal S_(J) is outputted so asto switch the switch 43 to the side of the ODD frame signal So, andthereby the pre-pit 4 in the present rotation is formed at the positionof the ODD frame.

[0100] When an action of one rotation under the condition that thepre-pit 4 is recorded on the position of the ODD frame is detected byone rotation detection signal Ss, in a rotation after that, the judgmentsignal S_(J) to switch the switch 43 to the side of the EVEN framesignal S_(E) is outputted by the judging device 42, so as to again formthe pre-pit 4 on the position of the EVEN frame.

[0101] Next, operations of the AND circuit 44 and the delay flip-flopcircuit 47 are explained with reference to FIG. 6C.

[0102] The AND circuit 44 calculates a logical product of the EVEN framesignal S_(E) or the ODD frame signal So outputted by the switch 43 andthe data pre-information S_(PP) outputted by the parallel/serialconvertor 21 to thereby output the logical product signal S_(A) with apulse width of 2T. This is intended to resolve the data pre-informationS_(PP) by each bit to thereby record only the data pre-informationS_(PP) of one bit (corresponding to “1”) (refer to FIG. 2) having apulse width of 2T on one synchronization frame.

[0103] The delay flip-flop circuit 47 delays the logical product signalS_(AD) by a time of 2T, on the basis of the latch data pulse S_(L) fromthe synchronization pattern generator 40, to thereby generate a delaylogical product signal S_(AD). After that, this delay logical productsignal S_(AD) is outputted to the switch 48 as the data pre-informationto be recorded.

[0104] The reason why the delay flip-flop circuit 47 delays the logicalproduct signal S_(A) is described below. That is, the synchronizationsignal (with a length of 14T) of the record signal is recorded on thegroove track 2 adjacent to the pre-pit, in a record information devicedescribed later. However, if the logical product signal S_(A) is notdelayed at this time, there may be a case that a rising timing of thesynchronization signal of the record signal and a rising timing of thepre-information are equal or close to each other. In this case, it isdifficult to separate and reproduce the pre-information and thesynchronization signal. Further, the delay amount of the logical productsignal S_(A) is defined as 2T, since a margin must be considered inorder to prevent that the rising timing of the synchronization signaland the rising timing of the pre-information be close to each otherbecause of an effect of a jitter at a time of recording the recordsignal and the like.

[0105] Next, an operation of the synchronization pattern generator 45(FIG. 4) is explained with reference to FIG. 8A.

[0106] In a case that the judgment signal S_(J) outputted by the judgingdevice 42 is a signal indicative of the EVEN frame signal S_(E), thesynchronization pattern generator 45 generates the EVEN synchronizationpre-information having a synchronization pattern, as shown in FIG. 8A,corresponding to the EVEN frame signal S_(E) outputted by the switch 43to thereby output as the synchronization signal S_(Y) to the switch 48.

[0107] On the other hand, in a case that the judgment signal S_(J)outputted by the judging device 42 is a signal indicative of the ODDframe signal So, the synchronization pattern generator 45 generates theODD synchronization pre-information having a synchronization pattern, asshown in FIG. 8A, corresponding to the ODD frame signal So outputted bythe switch 43 to thereby output as the synchronization signal S_(Y) tothe switch 48.

[0108] In parallel to these operations, the synchronization patterngenerator 45 extends the clock signal CLK by a term of 1T to therebygenerate a data latch pulse S_(L) having a period of 2T, and outputs itto the delay flip-flop circuit 47 (refer to FIG. 6C).

[0109] Finally, an operation of the synchronization/data switchingsignal generator 46 is explained with reference to FIG. 8B.

[0110] As shown in FIG. 8B, in the synchronization/data switching signalgenerator 46, in a case that the signal outputted by the switch 43 isthe EVEN frame signal S_(E), a synchronization/data switching signal Scwhich is in the “H” state for a term of 14T (corresponding to a lengthof the EVEN synchronization pre-information) from the rising timing ofthe 0th EVEN frame signal S_(E) is outputted, in order to record theEVEN synchronization pre-information on a position of the 0th EVEN framesignal S_(E), among the EVEN frames. Accordingly, the switch 48 isswitched to a side of the synchronization signal S_(Y) only for the termof 14T from the rising timing of the 0th EVEN frame signal S_(E). As aresult, the EVEN synchronization pre-information outputted by thesynchronization pattern generator 45 is recorded on a position of the0th EVEN frame signal S_(E).

[0111] On the other hand, in a case that the signal outputted by theswitch 43 is the ODD frame signal So, a synchronization/data switchingsignal Sc which is in the “H” state for a term of 14T (corresponding toa length of the ODD synchronization pre-information) from a risingtiming of a first ODD frame signal So is outputted, in order to recordthe ODD synchronization pre-information on a position of the first ODDframe signal So, among the ODD frames. Accordingly, the switch 48 isswitched to the side of the synchronization signal S_(Y) only for theterm of 14T from the rising timing of the first ODD frame signal So. Asa result, the ODD synchronization pre-information is recorded on aposition of the first ODD frame signal So.

[0112] With respect to the operations of the cutting machine C of theembodiment as mentioned above, when concluding the features thereof, ina case where the position of the pre-pit 4 in the previous recordingoperation one rotation prior to the present operation (which is normallyrecorded on the position of the EVEN frame) is close to the position ofa pre-pit 4 in a next rotation (i.e. the present rotation), moreactually in a case where it is judged by the judging device 42 that theEVEN frame signal S_(E) in the next rotation enters within the range ofthe gate signal S_(G) including the information of the previous positionof the pre-pit 4 one rotation prior to the present position, the recordpre-information S_(R) is generated such that the pre-pit 4 in the nextrotation is recorded on the position of the ODD frame signal So,especially by the operations of the ODD/EVEN judging gate signalgenerator 41 and the judging device 45 among the cutting machine C ofthe embodiment. Based on it, the light beam L_(L) is modulated by thelight modulator 25, and thereby the land track 3 including the pre-pit 4is formed on the DVD-R 1. At this time, the groove track 2 is formed soas to be located parallel to the land track 3 by the light beam L_(G)outputted simultaneously with the light beam L_(L).

[0113] As mentioned above, according to the cutting machine C of theembodiment, the pre-pit 4 is formed only on the position correspondingto the EVEN frame or the position corresponding to the ODD frame, in onerotation of the stamper disk. Thus, as compared with the case in whichthe pre-pits 4 are recorded for every synchronization frame, it ispossible to reduce the number of the pre-pits 4 throughout the DVD-R 1.Further, when forming the pigment film 5 (refer to FIG. 1) to form thegroove track 2 for the DVD-R 1 on which the pre-pit 4 is formed, thepigment film 5 can have a layer with a predetermined thickness necessaryfor the design.

[0114] When explaining this effect, typically, in order to speedily andfirstly detect the pre-information at a time of forming the pre-pit 4onto the land track 3, all the pre-pits 4 are formed collectively at asingle position on a predetermined portion of the land track 3, and thenthe pre-pits 4 are repeatedly formed on the land track 3 many times at apredetermined interval, and thereby the pre-information is recorded.

[0115] When actually manufacturing the DVD-R 1, the groove track 2, theland track 3 and the necessary pre-pit 4 are formed at first. Afterthat, material of the pigment film 5 is coated on the DVD-R 1 by meansof a spin coating method, for example. Then, this is treated by a baking(heating) process and the like to thereby form a recording layer havingthe necessary film thickness.

[0116] However, in the method of forming the necessary pre-pit 4collectively at the single position on the land track 3 as mentionedabove, a top surface of the pre-pit 4 (in a case that an irradiationdirection of the light beam is upward) is normally flush with a topsurface of the groove track 2 (refer to FIG. 1). Thus, the material ofthe pigment film 5 which should inherently stay on the groove track 2flows into the pre-pit 4. Therefore, it is impossible to form thepigment film 5 having the predetermined film thickness necessary for thedesign for the groove track 2. Then, in a case that the pigment film 5having the predetermined film thickness can not be formed, whenreproducing the record information recorded by the pit formed on thepigment film 5, the direct current (DC) element in a reproduction signalmay be changed, and the jitter may be generated because of unstablenessof a shape of the pit. This results in a problem that the recordinformation cannot be reproduced accurately.

[0117] In contrast with this, as mentioned above, according to thecutting machine C of the embodiment, as compared with the case in whichthe pre-pits 4 are recorded for every synchronization frame, it ispossible to reduce the number of the pre-pits 4, and further, only thepre-pit 4 with the length of 2T is formed in one synchronization frame.Thus, when forming the pigment film 5 for the DVD-R 1 on which thepre-pit 4 is formed, the pigment film 5 can have the layer with thepredetermined thickness necessary for the design. As a result, it ispossible to prevent the above mentioned direct current (DC) element frombeing changed and protect the jitter due to the unstableness of the pitshape from being generated, to thereby reproduce the record informationaccurately.

[0118] Further, according to the cutting machine C of the embodiment, ina case that the position of the pre-pit 4 recorded on the position ofthe EVEN frame in the previous recording operation one rotation prior tothe present operation is close to the position of the pre-pit 4 in thenext rotation (i.e. the present rotation), the pre-pit 4 is formed onthe position of the ODD frame in the next rotation. After further makingone rotation in that state, the pre-pit 4 is formed on the originalposition of the EVEN frame. Thus, the positions of the pre-pits 4 do notoverlap with each other in the guide tracks 3 adjacent to each other.Then, when detecting the pre-information at a time of recording therecord information as described later, when reading out thepre-information on one guide track 3, it is possible to prevent theleakage of the pre-information in the guide tracks 3 adjacent to eachother and possible to read out the pre-information accurately.

[0119] At this time, the gate signal S_(G) is set to have a pulse widthequal to a length of (14T+Δ) including an increment Δ of a lengthcorresponding to one round of the land track 3 for each rotation in thestamper disk. Thus, the positions of the pre-pits 4 on the land tracks 3adjacent to each other are never close to each other, due to a change ofa radial position on the stamper disk. As a result, the positions of thepre-pits 4 on the land tracks 3 adjacent to each other can be set topositions which are not located on the same straight line in the radialdirection, in any portion on the stamper disk.

[0120] Moreover, since storing the frame signal used at a time ofrecording the pre-information in one of the guide tracks 3 to therebyoutput the frame signal at a time of recording the pre-information inthe guide tracks 3 adjacent to each other, the position of the pre-pit 4of one of the guide tracks 3 can be made different from the position ofthe adjacent guide track 3, under the simple configuration.

(II) Embodiment of Information Recording Apparatus

[0121] Next, an embodiment of the information recording apparatus willbe explained with reference to FIGS. 9 to 13.

[0122] At first, a whole configuration of the information recordingapparatus of the embodiment is explained with reference to FIG. 9.

[0123] As shown in FIG. 9, an information recording apparatus R of theembodiment is provided with: an optical pickup 70, as one example of arecord information recording means, which contains a laser diode, anobjective lens described later, a polarization beam splitter, a lightdetector and the like that are not shown, for reading out the pre-pit 4of the DVD-R 1, on which the guide tracks 3, the pre-pits 4 and thegroove tracks 2 are formed by the above mentioned cutting machine C, tothereby detect the pre-information Sp, and for further emitting thelight beam LB as the record light to record the record information suchas the video information, the audio information and the like; a pre-pitsignal detector 71 for detecting a pre-pit signal (i.e. pre-informationSp) from a reproduction signal detected by the pickup 70 by a tangentialpush-pull method described later; a wave form shaping device 72 forwave-form-shaping the detected pre-information Sp (including thesynchronization pre-information and the data pre-information); a PLL(Phase Locked Loop) circuit 73 for phase-comparing a standard datatransferring clock outputted by a standard data transferring clockgenerator 74 with the detected pre-pit signal to thereby output a datatransferring clock in synchronization with the pre-information Sp; aspindle motor 75 for rotating the DVD-R 1; a PLL circuit 76 forphase-comparing the detected pre-pit signal with a rotation numberdetection signal outputted by the spindle motor 75 and then outputting aspindle error signal to the spindle motor 75 to thereby servo-controlthe rotation number of the spindle motor 75 to a predetermined number; asynchronization separator 77 for separating a synchronizationpre-information S_(SY) (a synchronization pattern is the EVENsynchronization pre-information or the ODD synchronizationpre-information shown in FIG. 2) from the pre-information Sp as thedetected pre-pit signal; an 8-16 encoder 78, as one example of agenerating means, which has a gate 78A opened by the synchronizationpre-information S_(SY) outputted by the synchronization separator 77 for8-16-modulating an input signal S_(D) as an externally inputted recordsignal to be recorded based on the data transferring clock outputted bythe PLL 73, generating a record information stream S_(DS) and thenoutputting it when the gate 78A is opened; a serial/parallel (S/P)convertor 79 for serial/parallel-converting the detected pre-informationSp, and outputting an address information S_(ADD) in the pre-informationSp when requested by an interrupt signal S_(I) from a CPU 80 describedlater; the CPU 80 for outputting the interrupt signal S_(I) when awriting order of the record information is inputted by an externalrecord/reproduction switching signal, and outputting a preparationsignal S_(RD) based on the address information S_(ADD); a pulsecontroller 81 for pulse-controlling and outputting the recordinformation stream S_(DS) which is outputted by the 8-16 encoder 78 andwhose delay amount is slightly adjusted; and an LD (LASER Diode) driver82 for outputting a drive signal S_(DR) on the basis of thepulse-controlled record information stream S_(DS) to thereby drive thelaser diode of the optical pickup 70 so as to output the light beam LBas the record light.

[0124] Next, the above mentioned tangential push-pull method used todetect the pre-information Sp in the information recording apparatus Ris explained, with detailed configurations of the pickup 70 and thepre-pit signal detector 71, with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.

[0125] The tangential push-pull method refers to a push-pull method in arotation direction of the DVD-R 1. This is a method of reproducing theabove mentioned pre-information, on the basis of a differential signalof two partial detectors in the light detector, in which a reflectionlight from the light spot SP by the light beam LB formed on the landtrack 3 of the DVD-R 1 is detected by the two partial detectors dividedby a division line optically vertical to a moving direction (i.e. therotation direction of the disk) of the pre-pit 4.

[0126] That is, more actually, as shown in FIG. 10, in the opticalpickup 70, the light beam LB as the record light (the reproduction lightto the pre-pit 4) generated by the laser diode and the like (not shown)is reflected on the polarization beam splitter 91, and collected on thegroove track 2 and the land track 3 of the DVD-R 1 (refer to FIG. 1) bythe objective lens 90. The reflection light of the light beam LB, whichis modulated by the pre-pit 4 and in which a polarization surface isrotated by the reflection on the DVD-R 1, is transmitted through thepolarization beam splitter 91 by the rotation of the polarizationsurface, and is irradiated to respective light-receiving surfaces of thelight detector 92, which is divided into two partial detectors 92A and92B by the division line optically vertical to the rotation direction ofthe DVD-R 1, and then it is detected. Light-receiving-outputs of therespective partial detectors 92A and 92B (in the following explanation,the outputs of the respective partial detectors are indicated by symbolsA and B) are subtracted by a subtractor 93 constituting the pre-pitsignal detector 71. A differential signal (A-B) thereof is outputted tothe wave form shaping device 72 as the reproduction signal(pre-information Sp).

[0127] Next, the generation of the differential signal (tangentialpush-pull signal) (A-B) by means of the light detector 92 and thesubtractor 93 is explained with reference to FIGS. 11A and 11B.

[0128] In FIG. 11A, when the light detector 92 receives the reflectionlight from the pre-pit 4 having a shape indicative of a section view inthe rotation direction of the DVD-R 1, the light-receiving outputs ofthe partial detectors 92A and 92B are outputted from the respectivepartial detectors 92A and 92B as RF (Radio Frequency) signals A (frontsignal) and B (rear signal) whose phases are different from each other,as shown in FIG. 11B, on the basis of positional deviations thereof.Then, the subtractor 93 determines a difference between the respectiveRF signals. Accordingly, the differential signal (tangential push-pullsignal) (A-B) is generated as shown in FIG. 11B.

[0129] Next, an operation of the information recording apparatus R forrecording the record information on the basis of the pre-information Spdetected by the tangential push-pull method is explained with referenceto a flow chart shown in FIG. 12.

[0130] At first, an operation as for the CPU 80 as a center is explainedby using FIG. 12A.

[0131] As shown in FIG. 12A, in the CPU 80, it is firstly judged whetheror not the writing order of the record information is inputted from theexterior (Step S1). If the writing order is not inputted (Step S1; NO),the process is repeated. If the writing order is inputted (Step S1;YES), the interrupt signal S_(I) is next outputted to theserial/parallel convertor 79 in order to obtain the address informationS_(ADD) corresponding to the record information to be recorded (StepS2). Incidentally, in parallel to the processes at the steps S1 and S2,the DVD-R 1 is rotated by the spindle motor 75. Corresponding to thisrotation, the light beam LB is irradiated. Accordingly, thepre-information Sp is obtained from the pre-pit 4 formed on the landtrack 3 of the DVD-R 1.

[0132] When the interrupt signal S_(I) is outputted at the step S2, itis judged whether or not the address information S_(ADD) inputted by theserial/parallel convertor 79 corresponding to the interrupt signal S_(I)is a predetermined address information S_(ADD) corresponding to therecord information to be recorded (Step S3). If it is not thepredetermined address information S_(ADD) (Step S3; NO), the process isreturned to the step S2, in order to output the interrupt signal S_(I)to thereby obtain another address information S_(ADD) again.

[0133] On the other hand, if the obtained address information S_(ADD) isthe predetermined address information S_(ADD) (Step S3; YES), thepreparation signal S_(RD) is outputted (Step S4), in order to make the8-16 encoder 78 prepare for an output of the record information streamS_(DS), since the predetermined address information S_(ADD) is obtained.Then, the process is ended.

[0134] Next, an operation of the 8-16 encoder 78 to which thepreparation signal S_(RD) is inputted is explained with reference toFIG. 12B.

[0135] As shown in FIG. 12B, in the 8-16 encoder 78, it is firstlyjudged whether or not the preparation signal S_(RD) is inputted from theCPU 80 (Step S10). If it is not inputted (Step S10; N0), the process isrepeated until it is inputted. If the preparation signal S_(RD) isinputted (Step S10; YES), it is judged whether or not thesynchronization pre-information S_(SY) in the pre-information Spdetected from the synchronization separator 77 is inputted, that is, itis judged whether or not the top portion of the recording sector isdetected (Step S11). If it is not detected (Step S11; NO), the processis returned to the step S10 in order to wait until a next preparationsignal S_(RD) is inputted. If the synchronization pre-information S_(SY)is detected (Step S11; YES), the time-measurement is performed for oneECC block term (26 recording sector terms) (Step S13). If themeasurement is not completed (Step S13; NO), the process waits until itis completed. If it is completed (Step S13; YES), the input signal S_(D)is 8-16-modulated, and then the gate 78A is opened, and thereby theoutput of the record information stream S_(DS) is started. Namely, it isstarted encoding the record signal (Step S14). The output of the recordinformation stream S_(DS) is performed on the basis of the datatransferring clock from the PLL circuit 73. Further, in the recordinformation stream S_(DS), the synchronization signal (with a length of14T) is added to each top portion (the position where the pre-pit 4 inthe pre-information is formed) for each synchronization frame. Here, thereason why the time-measurement is performed for one ECC block term atthe steps S12 and S13 is that it is intended to surely record the recordinformation from the top portion of the ECC block.

[0136] After the record information stream S_(DS) is outputted from the8-16 encoder 78, the record information stream S_(DS) ispulse-controlled by the pulse controller 81. The drive signal S_(DR)corresponding to the record information stream S_(DS) is outputted bythe LD driver 82. The laser diode (not shown) in the pickup 70 is drivenby this drive signal S_(DR), and thereby the light beam LB is emitted.The record information pit corresponding to the record informationstream S_(DS) is formed on the groove track 2, and thereby the recordinformation is recorded. In a case that the input signal S_(D) ismodulated by the 8-16 modulating method, a length of the recordinformation pit formed on the DVD-R 1 becomes a length from 3T to 14T.

[0137] Here, the synchronization pre-information in the pre-pit 4 andthe synchronization signal in the record information coincide with eachother, by the operation (refer to FIG. 12B) in the 8-16 encoder 78.Thus, in one recording sector, the data pre-information on and after thesynchronization pre-information (recorded with the length of 2T on thetop portion of one synchronization frame, as mentioned above) and thesynchronization signal in the record information are in synchronizationwith each other. That is, seeing this on the DVD-R 1 in which a recordinformation pit P_(D) corresponding to the record information is formedon the groove track 2, a synchronization signal pit Ps of the recordinformation is always formed adjacent to the pre-pit 4, as shown in FIG.13. FIG. 13 shows a case of reading out the pre-pit 4 adjacent to anouter circumference side (a right side to a rotation direction) of thegroove track 2 while forming the light spot SP (refer to FIG. 1) on thegroove track 2 with respect to the rotation direction of the DVD-R 1.Further, a length in the rotation direction of each of the pre-pits 4 is2T. This length 2T is different from any lengths of the recordinformation pits P_(D) (3T to 14T) formed by the 8-16 modulation.

[0138] As explained above, according to the information recordingapparatus R of the embodiment, the record information is recorded suchthat the synchronization signal is added for each synchronization frameand further the synchronization signal and the pre-information arerecorded in synchronization with each other. Thus, the position of thesynchronization signal on the groove track 2 and the position of thepre-pit 4 on the land track 3 are adjacent to each other, on the DVD-R 1on which both the pre-information and the record information arerecorded. As a result, at a time of detecting the pre-information orreproducing the record information, it is possible to easily separateand reproduce the record information and the pre-information and alsopossible to accurately detect the pre-information or reproduce therecord information.

[0139] Moreover, the length (2T) in the rotation direction of thepre-pit 4 corresponding to the pre-information is different from anylengths of the record information pits P_(D) (from 3T to 14T)corresponding to the record information. As a result, in reproducing therecord information, it is possible to surely separate and reproduce thepre-information to thereby reproduce the record information accurately.

[0140] Furthermore, the first 2T term in each pre-information (thesynchronization pre-information or the data pre-information) recorded onthe top portion of the synchronization frame is set to “L” (refer toFIG. 2) by the operation of the delay flip-flop circuit 47. As a result,even if the position of the pre-pit 4 corresponding to thepre-information and the position of the synchronization signal in therecord signal are adjacent to each other, it is possible to detect bothof them without a cross talk between both of them.

[0141] In the above embodiment, the tangential push-pull method isemployed for the detection of the pre-pit 4. Instead, the radialpush-pull method may be employed, in which the reflection light from thelight spot SP formed on the land track 3 is detected by the two partialdetectors divided by a division line optically parallel (i.e. notvertical) to the moving direction of the pre-pit 4, and thepre-information is reproduced on the basis of a differential signal ofthese detectors. According to the radial push-pull method, it ispossible to judge by the polarity of this differential signal on whichside the pre-pit 4 is located with respect to the two partial detectors,and, even in a condition that the record information pit P_(D) isalready recorded, the undesirable influence of the record informationpit P_(D) onto the detection of the pre-pit 4 can be reduced.

[0142] The invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Thepresent invention embodiments are therefore to be considered in allrespects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the inventionbeing indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of recording, onto a guide track of aninformation record medium, control information to control at least oneof recording and reproducing operations of record information on saidinformation record medium, said method comprising the steps of:generating a control information timing signal one after another at aninterval corresponding to a length of a control information unit equalto an N (N: predetermined integer not less than 2) multiple of a lengthof a record information unit of the record information; and recordingthe control information onto the guide track of said information recordmedium, on the basis of a timing corresponding to the controlinformation timing signal.
 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein thecontrol information is pre-information including at least addressinformation indicative of a record position on said information recordmedium of the record information, the record information unit is onesynchronization frame, and in said generating step, the controlinformation timing signal is generated by doubling said onesynchronization frame.
 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein thecontrol information has a length along the guide track equal to aninteger multiple of a unit length corresponding to a pit interval alongthe guide track defined by a recording format of the record information,for a record pit to be formed on said information record medium incorrespondence with the record information in the recording operation,and in said recording step, the control information is recorded for eachcontrol information unit, by a control information pit having a lengthshorter along the guide track than the shortest pit length of the recordpit.
 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein in said generating step,the control information timing signal is generated at such an intervalthat positions of the control information recorded on adjacent turns ofthe guide track are not on a straight line perpendicular to the guidetrack on said information record medium.
 5. A method according to claim1, wherein said generating step comprises the steps of: generating aneven timing signal, as a first kind of the control information timingsignal corresponding to an even numbered record information unit in arecord information unit row comprising M (M: predetermined integer notless than 2) record information units; generating an odd timing signal,as a second kind of the control information timing signal correspondingto an odd numbered record information unit in the record informationunit row; and selecting one of the even and odd timing signals such thatpositions of the control information recorded on adjacent turns of theguide track are not on a straight line perpendicular to the guide trackon said information record medium, in said recording step, the controlinformation is recorded onto the guide track of said information recordmedium, on the basis of a timing corresponding to the selected one ofthe even and odd timing signals.
 6. A method according to claim 5,wherein said selecting step comprises the steps of: storing the selectedone of the even and odd timing signals for one turn of the guide track;and selecting one of the even and odd timing signals for another turn ofthe guide track next to said one turn, on the basis of the stored one ofthe even and odd timing signals.
 7. An apparatus for recording, onto aguide track of an information record medium, control information tocontrol at least one of recording and reproducing operations of recordinformation on said information record medium, said apparatuscomprising: a generating unit for generating a control informationtiming signal one after another at an interval corresponding to a lengthof a control information unit equal to an N (N: predetermined integernot less than 2) multiple of a length of a record information unit ofthe record information; and a recording unit for recording the controlinformation onto the guide track of said information record medium, onthe basis of a timing corresponding to the control information timingsignal.
 8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the controlinformation is pre-information including at least address informationindicative of a record position on said information record medium of therecord information, the record information unit is one synchronizationframe, and said generating unit generates the control information timingsignal by doubling said one synchronization frame.
 9. An apparatusaccording to claim 7, wherein the control information has a length alongthe guide track equal to an integer multiple of a unit lengthcorresponding to a pit interval along the guide track defined by arecording format of the record information, for a record pit to beformed on said information record medium in correspondence with therecord information in the recording operation, and said recording unitrecords the control information for each control information unit, by acontrol information pit having a length shorter along the guide trackthan the shortest pit length of the record pit.
 10. An apparatusaccording to claim 7, wherein said generating unit generates the controlinformation timing signal at such an interval that positions of thecontrol information recorded on adjacent turns of the guide track arenot on a straight line perpendicular to the guide track on saidinformation record medium.
 11. An apparatus according to claim 7,wherein said generating unit comprises: a first generating device forgenerating an even timing signal, as a first kind of the controlinformation timing signal corresponding to an even numbered recordinformation unit in a record information unit row comprising M (M:predetermined integer not less than 2) record information units; asecond generating device for generating an odd timing signal, as asecond kind of the control information timing signal corresponding to anodd numbered record information unit in the record information unit row;and a selecting device for selecting one of the even and odd timingsignals such that positions of the control information recorded onadjacent turns of the guide track are not on a straight lineperpendicular to the guide track on said information record medium, saidrecording unit records the control information onto the guide track ofsaid information record medium, on the basis of a timing correspondingto the selected one of the even and odd timing signals.
 12. An apparatusaccording to claim 11, wherein said selecting device comprises: a memoryfor storing the selected one of the even and odd timing signals for oneturn of the guide track; and a selector for selecting one of the evenand odd timing signals for another turn of the guide track next to saidone turn, on the basis of the stored one of the even and odd timingsignals.
 13. An information record medium comprising: a substrate havingan information record surface; an information record track formed onsaid information record surface in a spiral or coaxial shape, forrecording record information; a guide track formed on said informationrecord surface in parallel to said information record track, for guidinga light beam, which is to perform at least one of recording andreproducing operations of the record information, to said informationrecord track; and a control information for controlling at least one ofthe recording and reproducing operations, recorded on said guide trackat an interval corresponding to a length of a control information unitequal to an N (N: predetermined integer not less than 2) multiple of alength of a record information unit of the record information.
 14. Aninformation record medium according to claim 13, wherein the controlinformation is pre-information including at least address informationindicative of a record position on said information record surface ofthe record information, the record information unit is onesynchronization frame, and the pre-information is recorded on said guidetrack for each pre-information unit, which is obtained by doubling saidone synchronization frame.
 15. An information record medium according toclaim 1:3, wherein the control information has a length along the guidetrack equal to an integer multiple of a unit length corresponding to apit interval along the guide track defined by a recording format of therecord information, for a record pit to be formed on said informationrecord surface in correspondence with the record information in therecording operation, and the control information is recorded for eachcontrol information unit, by a control information pit having a lengthshorter along the guide track than the shortest pit length of the recordpit.
 16. An information record medium according to claim 13, whereinpositions of the control information recorded on adjacent turns of theguide track are not on a straight line perpendicular to the guide trackon said information record surface.
 17. An information record mediumaccording to claim 13, further comprising the record information, whichis recorded on said information record track by a record pit formed incorrespondence with the record information in the recording operationand which has a synchronization signal for achieving a synchronizationin the reproducing operation, wherein the control information has alength along the guide track equal to an integer multiple of a unitlength corresponding to a pit interval along the guide track defined bya recording format of the record information, the control information isrecorded for each control information unit, by a control information pithaving a length shorter along the guide track than the shortest pitlength of the record pit, and positions of the control information andthe synchronization signal recorded on adjacent turns of the guide trackand the information record track are on a straight line perpendicular tothe guide track on said information record surface.
 18. A method ofrecording record information onto information record medium, saidinformation record medium comprising: a substrate having an informationrecord surface; an information record track formed on said informationrecord surface in a spiral or coaxial shape, for recording the recordinformation; a guide track formed on said information record surface inparallel to said information record track, for guiding a light beam,which is to perform at least one of recording and reproducing operationsof the record information, to said information record track; and acontrol information for controlling at least one of the recording andreproducing operations, recorded on said guide track at an intervalcorresponding to a length of a control information unit equal to an N(N: predetermined integer not less than 2) multiple of a length of arecord information unit of the record information, said methodcomprising the steps of: detecting the control information from saidinformation record medium; generating the record information on thebasis of a record signal inputted from the external such that asynchronization signal is added to each record information unit incorrespondence with the detected control information; and recording thegenerated record information onto the information record track.
 19. Anapparatus for recording record information onto information recordmedium, said information record medium comprising: a substrate having aninformation record surface; an information record track formed on saidinformation record surface in a spiral or coaxial shape, for recordingthe record information; a guide track formed on said information recordsurface in parallel to said information record track, for guiding alight beam, which is to perform at lease one of recording andreproducing operations of the record information, to said informationrecord track; and a control information for controlling at least one ofthe recording and reproducing operations, recorded on said guide trackat an interval corresponding to a length of a control information unitequal to an N (N: predetermined integer not less than 2) multiple of alength of a record information unit of the record information, saidapparatus comprising: a detecting unit for detecting the controlinformation from said information record medium; a record informationgenerating unit for generating the record information on the basis of arecord signal inputted from the external such that a synchronizationsignal is added to each record information unit in correspondence withthe detected control information; and a recording unit for recording thegenerated record information onto the information record track.